Appealing LA Challenge
A very small field of 4 three year-old fillies are taking to the track in China for the Appealing LA Challenge. We are looking at a fast dirt surface for the race, being run at a distance of 7 furlongs. With all the upheavel in China these days over the Olympics, I was able to go in undercover and acquire myself a copy of the race program, and this is how the field shapes up.
1. Die For Gold 6-1
Bigted2 trains this filly who is coming off a nice 2 length victory against a small $42k allowance race going from gate to wire uncontested. She has won 3 of her 6 outings and loves to run on the front. Her last was run in a speed of 81 going 7.5 furlongs. Die for Gold has a respectable breeding background and faces two others in the field who have run speeds over 90. She will need to take it up a notch here.
2. Frigate 9-5
Frigate has been on the board 8 of 9 outings for trainer Pinerivers. She shows only 2 races on dirt, and they resulted in a win and a place. Her last outing was on the dirt, back in mid-March, where she was able to win the 7 furlong outing in a speed of 91. She prefers to run up front, but does not always make it to the lead. Expect a good effort from her.
3. Mesa Boogie 70-1
Mesa Boogie is a massive longshot for such a small field. This horse is a computer entry who is returning to the dirt after a long absence. She doesn’t show much with speeds of 60 and lower and I don’t consider her to be a serious contender.
4. Orogeny 1-5
Trainer Verywide enters this nicely bred filly into this race hitting the board in all of her 6 starts. She has 4 victories to her credit although she has yet to face a field of more than 6 entrants. That doesn’t matter here, since this field is a small one. Orogeny’s last two races were rated over 90 and she historically charges from off the pace. However, her last race, she was sent to the front and tired in deep stretch. She adds top Jockey Ball (34% win!) and comes in well rested.
I’ll give a slight edge to the favorite Orogeny in this one. She is in good form and will be making a run at the two speedsters who may wear each other down. Frigate has the ability to pull this one off, and the 9-5 odds seem to give a better bang for the buck than the heavy favorite. Die for Gold is the third pick. I expect we will see an improvement in her speed ratings. I don’t think she has enough yet to beat this group, but the experience will be beneficial.